Large-area aligned branched Cu₂S nanostructure arrays: room-temperature synthesis and growth mechanism

Abstract

In this work, an effective approach to synthesize large-area Cu(2)S hierarchical nanotree arrays is presented: Cu nanowire arrays synthesized via template-assisted electrodeposition are used as precursors for the self-growth of branched Cu(2)S nanotree arrays by a gas-solid reaction in H(2)S atmosphere at room temperature. The branched Cu(2)S nanotrees with a high aspect ratio are vertically aligned over the Au film surface, forming a nanoscale 'forest'. Electron microscopy studies reveal that the treelike branched nanostructures are composed of an end-capped tubular Cu(2)S trunk and radially organized Cu(2)S nanorod branches over the trunk. A formation mechanism of the hollow trunk and the nanobranches is proposed on the basis of experimental observations.

A versatile chemical conversion synthesis of Cu2S nanotubes and the photovoltaic activities for dye-sensitized solar cell

“…The excitation wavelength is 514.5 nm from an Ar ion laser. A strong and sharp band at 472 cm -1 probably originates from the lattice vibration, which is consistent with the results reported for Cu 2 S films [41,42] and Cu 2 S nanotree arrays [43]. …”

Large‐Size 2D β‐Cu2S Nanosheets with Giant Phase Transition Temperature Lowering (120 K) Synthesized by a Novel Method of Super‐Cooling Chemical‐Vapor‐Deposition

“…The result showed that cooling by water was necessary and very important in the experiment (Figure S3, Supporting Information). If the cooling was not employed or the cooling rate was slow, there would be some corroded films (as shown in Figures S2a and S3, Supporting Information) which should result from the thermal instability of the Cu 2− x S. The obtained nanosheets ( Figure a) were triangular with obvious Raman peak at 471 cm −1 (Figure b), which was consistent with the reported results of Cu 2 S films . The uniform Raman peak intensity mapping at 471 cm −1 showed that the specimen had pure β phase at room temperature (inset of Figure b).…”

Single-source mediated facile electrosynthesis of p-Cu2S thin films on TCO (SnO2:F) with enhanced photocatalytic activities

“…23 Among these the electrochemical synthesis of nanomaterials and thin lms could be a cost effective technology for the production of photoelectrochemical cell. Lai et al 27 have reported the template-assisted electrochemical synthesis of Cu 2 S nanowires where copper deposition occurred into the pores of an anodic aluminum oxide. The rationale for this is that thin lms modules are expected to be cheaper in manufacture owing to their low materials cost, energy consumption and handling cost.…”